Clarke - Magic of Blood and Sea

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Also by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Our Lady of the Ice

The Mad Scientists Daughter

Stars End

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the authors imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The Assassins Curse copyright 2012 by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The Pirates Wish copyright 2013 by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Jacket illustration copyright 2017 by Dane Cozens

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Also available in a SAGA PRESS paperback edition

The text for this book was set in Perpetua Std.

CIP data for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4814-7641-6 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-4814-6172-6 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-4814-6173-3 (eBook)

This book is dedicated to my parents, for all their years of love and support

I would like to foremost thank my parents, primarily for not balking when I decided to earn a graduate degree in creative writing but also for all their support over the years, and Ross Andrews, who deserves my utmost gratitude for encouraging me even when I wanted to quit and for helping me through the highs and lows of pursuing a writing career.

My beta reader, Amanda Cole, helped me shape this book from a mess into a story, and our discussions about reading and writing have helped me as much as any class. Bobby Mathews, one of my oldest friends, has watched me develop as a writer and given me encouragement and advice all along the way. Stephanie Denise Brown and Stephanie Scudder propped me up through the six weeks of Clarion West and proved invaluable in their critiques. To all my friends: thank you.

I would also like to thank Dr. Janet Lowery, Dr. Elizabeth Harris, Peter LaSalle, and my instructors at the 2010 Clarion West Writers Workshop, for sharing their knowledge, wisdom, and advice.

A very special thanks goes out to Amanda Rutter, Lee Harris, and all the rest of the team at Angry Robot for taking a chance with their Open Door Month and releasing this book to the world back in 2012. Although Strange Chemistry has since shuttered its doors, Amanda deserves all the accolades for her tireless support of this book and all the books Strange Chemistry released.

Special thanks to my agent, Stacia Decker, for all the worktoo much to list!that she has done to help me, particularly with this series. And thank you to Navah Wolfe at Saga Press for helping the series find a new home.

And finally, I would like to thank everyone who read, reviewed, and wrote to me about The Assassins Curse , The Pirates Wish , and The Wizards Promise . Your support has helped the books with this second chance, and I am eternally grateful for all the love the series has received.

I aint never been one to trust beautiful people, and Tarrin of the Hariri was the most beautiful man I ever saw. You know how in the temples they got those paintings of all the gods and goddesses hanging on the wall above the row of prayer candles? And youre supposed to meditate on them so as the gods can hear your request better? Tarrin of the Hariri looked just like one of those paintings. Golden skin and huge black eyes and this smile that probably worked on every girl from here to the ice-islands. I hated him on sight.

We were standing in the Hariris garden, Mama and Papa flanking me on either side like a couple of armed guards. The sea crashed against the big marble wall, spray misting soft and salty across my face. I licked it away and Mama jabbed me in the side with the butt of her sword.

So I take it all the arrangements are in order? asked Captain Hariri, Tarrins father. Youre ready to finalize our agreement?

Soon as we make the trade, Papa said.

I glowered at the word trade and squirmed around in my too-tight silk dress. My breasts squeezed out the top of it, not on purpose. I know that sort of thing is supposed to be appealing to men but you wouldnt know it talking to me. At least the dress was a real pretty one, the color of cinnamon and draped the way the court ladies wore em a couple of seasons ago. Wed nicked it off a merchant ship a few months back. Mama had said it suited me when we were on board Papas boat and she was lining my eyes with kohl and pinning my hair on top of my head, trying to turn me into a beauty. I could tell by the expression on Mistress Hariris face that it hadnt worked.

Tarrin! Captain Hariri lifted his hand and Tarrin slunk out of the shadow of the gazebo where hed been standing alongside his mother. The air was full up with these tiny white flowers from the trees nearby, and a couple of blossoms caught in Tarrins hair. He was dressed like his father, in dusty old aristocratic clothes, and that was the only sign either of em were pirates like me and my parents.

Its nice to meet you, Ananna of the Tanarau . He bowed, hinging at the waist. He said my name wrong. Mama shoved me forward, and I stumbled over the hem of my dress, stained first with seawater from clomping around on the boat and then with sand from walking through Lisirra to get to this stupid garden. The Hariris were the only clan in the whole Confederation that spent more time on land than they did at sea.

Tarrin and I stared at each other for a few seconds, until Mama jabbed me in the back again, and I spat out one of the questions she made me memorize: Have you got a ship yet?

Tarrin beamed. A sleek little frigate, plucked out of the emperors own fleet. Fastest ship on the water.

Yeah? I said. You got a crew for that ship or we just gonna look at her from the wall over there?

Ananna, Mama hissed, even as Papa tried to stifle a laugh.

Tarrins face crumpled up and he looked at me like a little kid that knows youre teasing him but doesnt get the joke. Finest crew out of the western islands. It sounded rehearsed. I got great plans for her, Mistress Tanarau. He opened his eyes up real wide and his face glowed. I want to take her out to the Isles of the Sky.